Birthstone of the Nation

Monumental Church, Richmond, VA

This octagonal-shaped church was built in 1814 as a memorial for seventy-two people who perished in an 1811 Richmond Theatre fire. Chief Justice John Marshall headed fundraising efforts to memorialize the victims. Robert Mills, designer of the Washington Monument, designed the church. Built upon the site of the theater, the walls were made of Aquia stone. (photo: Historic Richmond Foundation)